Friday, December 5, 2003

Challengers loom for incumbent commissioners

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, Fri., Dec. 5, 2003 -- A longtime member of the Reeves County
Hospital District board has signaled his intention to run for Reeves
County Commissioner, as two challengers have joined several incumbents
in filing their treasurer's designation for the primary elections in
March.

Filing for the Reeves County primary elections in March officially
begin Wednesday, and continues through Friday, Jan. 2 This year's
primary elections are scheduled for March 9.

Elizer "Chel" Flores, filed his treasurers designation with the
Reeves County Clerk on Wednesday, Dec. 3 to run for the office of
Reeves County Commissioners Precinct 1. Flores named himself as
treasurer of his campaign.

To file officially, candidates must file a petition with 50 names or
pay a filing fee to the local party chairmen, so the individuals who
have filed with the county clerk, will now have to take this second
step. Almost all candidates in Reeves County run in the Democratic
primary and file with county chairman Robert C. Dean.

Arredondo is seeking a third consecutive term in office, and fourth
term overall as Precinct 1 Commissioner. Flores currently is in his
fourth term as the Precinct 1 representative on the Reeves County
Hospital District's board of directors.

Incumbent Precinct 3 Commissioner Herman Tarin, also designated
himself as treasurer when he filed on Nov. 26.

Tarin, like Arredondo, will be trying for his fourth term as Reeves
County Commissioner in the March primary election, and like Arredondo,
he might have a challenger. Manuel "Manny" D. Lopez, who filed with
Flores' office on Thursday, and designated himself as treasurer.

Other incumbents who have filed their treasurer's designation
include, Reeves County Sheriff Arnulfo "Andy" Gomez, listed Grace
Morales as his treasurer; Reeves County Tax Assessor/Collector Elfida
Zuniga, who selected Orlando Zuniga as treasurer of her campaign and
Jerry C. Matta, for constable Precinct 2. Matta designated himself as
treasurer.

Along with these positions, other local positions that will be up
for election on March 9, are Reeves County Attorney; 143rd District
Attorney and 143rd District Court Judge.

The District Attorney and District Judge positions cover Reeves,
Ward and Loving Counties. Former District Attorney Hal Upchurch of
Monahans already has announced his plans to seek re-election to the
position he last held 12 years ago. Randall W. Reynolds currently holds
the position, and was first elected to office in 1996.

Both the District Attorney and the District Judge candidates will
file their petitions or pay a filing fee in Austin.

Entries increase, winners picked for Pecan Show

PECOS, Fri., Dec. 5, 2003 -- The annual Reeves-Loving County Pecan Show
and Pecan Food Show drew more entries this year, and winners were
announced today at the show, held in the lobby of West Texas National
Bank.

Last year's show drew only a handful of entries, while this year's
event had more than two dozen contestants, according to Sue Evans with
the Texas Extension Service office in Pecos.

"We had about 31 entries this year, so it was a lot bigger," Evans
said. "Tommy (Dominguez, new Reeves-Loving Extension Agent) really went
out and hustled for entries this year."

The Pecan Show open to contestants in both Reeves and Loving
counties. Entries in the food show were brought into West Texas
National Bank this morning, and judged at 10:30 a.m. before being
displayed in the bank's lobby through this afternoon. A sale also was
held following the food show judging.

Evans said plaques made from pecan wood were to be presented to the
winners in each division today.

A list of winners from the Pecan Show was not available at press
time. Winners for this years annual Pecan Food Show are listed below:

Holiday parade set for tonight

PECOS, Fri., Dec. 5, 2003 -- Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce
officials have already signed up several entries for the Christmas
Parade, scheduled for this evening along Eddy and Third streets in
Pecos.

"We think it will be a really nice one, we have already signed up
several to participate," said chamber office manager Lupe Davis.

Davis said that individuals or groups do not necessarily have to
sign up for the parade and that they will be taking entries up until
line-up time, which is 5 p.m., in the Pecos High School band parking
lot.

The parade will begin at 6 p.m. and will travel from the high school
to the Reeves County Courthouse, where the seventh annual courthouse
lighting ceremony will be held, starting about 7 p.m.

No Santas will be allowed in the parade, the chamber will be
providing one. "They have refurbished the sleigh and he will be riding
in his sleigh," said Davis.

"We have also had a lot of inquiries about the parade, so maybe more
entries will show up this evening," said Davis. "We welcome everyone
that wants to participate to come out and join us, or to just watch."

"They can call the chamber if they want to be judged or show up at
line-up and we'll put them on the list," said Davis.

Temperatures should be in the 40s during the parade, which will last
about 45 minutes. The parade route will be the same as in recent years,
traveling north on Eddy Street from the high school to West Third
Street, and from there east on Third to South Oak Street. The parade
will then turn back north on Oak and travel one block to the
courthouse, where it will end.

Commissioners to have routine Monday agenda

PECOS, Fri., Dec. 5, 2003 -- With the contract situation at the Reeves
County Detention Center settled for now, county commissioners will have
only routine business to take care of on Monday, when they hold their
regular Commissioners Court meeting at the Reeves County Courthouse

Commissioners will meet at 10 a.m., in the third floor courtroom and
the public is invited to attend.

The group will discuss and take action on: deputation and oath for
Monette Pena Arreguy as deputy district clerk; Christina Winfrey as
deputy/jailer for the Reeves County Sheriff's Department; Javier
Contreras as deputy/jailer for the Reeves County Sheriff's Department
and Efren Rodriguez as Reserve Deputy for the Reeves County Sheriff's
Department.

Commissioners will discuss and take action on a property bid for
property located at lot five of the Roy Lindsey Addition.

A contract and agreement between Reeves County and the Pecos County
Juvenile Board for the detention of juvenile offenders will be
discussed as well as inmate transportation crew mileage payments;
reports from various departments; budge amendment and line-item
transfers and personnel and salary changes (library).

Commissioners adjusted an agreement with Wackenhut Correctional
Corp. at their last meeting to have the company immediately take over
operation of the Reeves County Detention Center. Problems with the RCDC
and the mostly-unused $40 million RCDC III addition took most of the
attention of the commissioner's court, since the problem first surfaced
in June.

Christmas lighting contest scheduled to start

PECOS, Fri., Dec. 5, 2003 -- The Women's Division of the Pecos Area
Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring it's annual city wide Christmas
Lighting Contest.

The judging will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, from 7-10 p.m.
Winners will be announced on Monday, Dec. 15, in the Pecos Enterprise
and on KIUN Radio.

Judges will divide Pecos into seven sections and choose one winner
from each section. All seven winners will receive a $20 "Pecos Bucks"
Gift Certificate that can be used at any local chamber member business
establishment.

Judges will also vote on the best decorated residential block and
local business. These winners will receive a memorable gift.

For more information, contact project chairman, Michelle Workman at
445-5535.